When do i use pronouns

Views 21, Pronouns are simple to define but can be confusing to use. Correcting the statement can be done in two ways:. Pronouns are often referred to as the understudies of English grammar because they are called upon to stand in for nouns that are then referred to as antecedents because they are being replaced by pronouns. Pronouns can be singular I, me, he, she, you, it or plural they, them, we, etc.

However, their roles are limited to stand-in for either the subject or the object of a sentence:. Related: Having difficulty with language and grammar in your manuscript? You can never make any assumptions about what pronoun someone uses based off of their appearance. The only way you can know what pronoun someone prefers is by asking them. Meeting new people is always awkward.

But using the wrong pronoun to refer to someone is more awkward because pronouns are about respect. Like this:. Asking about pronouns will not solve your social awkwardness issues, but it will definitely make you a nicer, more empathetic human being. Are you sure that I have to ask? Someone might proactively tell you if they prefer gender-neutral pronouns, but if you make an assumption about their pronoun without asking, then the onus will fall on them to correct you.

And we all know how awkward it is to have to correct an erroneous assumption that a stranger makes about you. You need to know how to use email, and you need to know how to ask people what pronouns they use. You win. Glad we could clear that up. Wanna get a cup of coffee? Jacob Tobia is a Brooklyn-based writer, speaker and performer.

Contact us at letters time. Getty Images. These examples do not contradict Rule 6, because each is not the subject, but rather an adjunct describing the true subject. Rule 7. To decide whether to use the subject or object pronoun after the words than or as , mentally complete the sentence. If we mentally complete the sentence, we would say Tranh is as smart as she is. Therefore, she is the correct answer. Mentally completing the sentence, we have Zoe is taller than I am.

We can interpret this sentence in two ways: Daniel would rather talk to her than to me. OR Daniel would rather talk to her than I would. A sentence's meaning can change considerably, depending on the pronoun you choose. Rule 8. The possessive pronouns yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs, and whose never need apostrophes. Avoid mistakes like her's and your's. Rule 9. The only time it's has an apostrophe is when it is a contraction for it is or it has.

The only time who's has an apostrophe is when it means who is or who has. There is no apostrophe in oneself. Avoid "one's self," a common error. Examples: It's been a cold morning. The thermometer reached its highest reading. He's the one who's always on time. He's the one whose wife is always on time. Keeping oneself ready is important. Rule Pronouns that end in -self or -selves are called reflexive pronouns. There are nine reflexive pronouns: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, oneself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves.

Reflexive pronouns are used when both the subject and the object of a verb are the same person or thing. Reflexive pronouns help avoid confusion and nonsense. Without them, we might be stuck with sentences like Joe helped Joe. The object myself is the same person as the subject I , performing the act of working. Incorrect: My brother and myself did it. Correct: My brother and I did it. Don't use myself unless the pronoun I or me precedes it in the sentence. Incorrect: Please give it to John or myself.

Correct: Please give it to John or me. Correct: You saw me being myself. A sentence like Help yourself looks like an exception to the rule until we realize it's shorthand for You may help yourself.

Example: Doubting himself, the man proceeded cautiously. Rule 11a. The use of they and their with singular pronouns is frowned upon by many traditionalists. To be consistent, it is a good practice to try to avoid they and its variants e.

They booked themselves a room at the resort. I told myself it was nothing. Intensive pronouns look the same as reflexive pronouns, but their purpose is different. Intensive pronouns add emphasis. I built this house myself. Did you yourself see Loretta spill the coffee? Occasionally, people are tempted to use myself where they should use me because it sounds a little fancier. If you use a -self form of a pronoun, make sure it matches one of the uses above.

Please call Sarah or myself if you are going to be late. Loretta, Henry, and myself are pleased to welcome you to the neighborhood. Possessive pronouns come in two flavors: limiting and absolute. My, your, its, his, her, our, their and whose are used to show that something belongs to an antecedent. Sarah is working on her application. Just put me back on my bike. The students practiced their presentation after school. The absolute possessive pronouns are mine, yours, his, hers, ours, and theirs.

The absolute forms can be substituted for the thing that belongs to the antecedent. Are you finished with your application? Sarah already finished hers.

The blue bike is mine. I practiced my speech and the students practiced theirs. Some possessive pronouns are easy to mix up with similar-looking contractions.

Interrogative pronouns are used in questions. The interrogative pronouns are who , what , which , and whose. Who wants a bag of jelly beans? What is your name?